1. SOFTWARE. The essential software of being a student is available to MIT as download. This list is long, but perhaps the most important to get started will be:
   1. Microsoft Office
   2. Windows 10
   3. VM-ware for a Windows partition on a Mac
   4. Matlab (takes a long time to download and install)
2. HARDWARE. MIT students can get discounts on Dell and Apple products. MIT also has a limited number of academic year loaners. If you ask early enough, you might be lucky enough to get a laptop.

Links

http://ist.mit.edu/software-hardware